Articles
In-depth analysis of how lifetime income products work, what they cost, and how to evaluate them. Mechanics first, no product recommendations.
Why You Should Care About Predictive Medicine and Anti-Aging Science
Much of my professional background has been focused around the healthcare industry and I find the fields of predictive medicine and anti-aging science fascinating. The latest developments in these fields will increasingly impact the length and quality of human life, and as a result, I believe…
Why Warren Buffett's Prescription Will Not Work for Retirees
The reality is that price volatility or beta does matter very much to retirees because financing current consumption with volatile assets is problematic.
Why Volatility is a Retirement Killer
Volatility is a fact of life when investing in the stock market. As indicated in the chart below, the Chicago Board Options Exchange volatility index has had six meaningful spikes (index levels exceeding 30) since 1990, with by far and away the most extreme spike occurring over the past couple of…
Why Is Teresa Ghilarducci Considered "The Most Dangerous Woman in America"
Teresa Ghilarducci is a 51 year old economist who directs the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at the New School in New York.Why was Ghilarducci--who sure looks like a nice person in her picture--labeled the most dangerous woman in America in a recent US News & World Report column? The…
Why Retirees Should Listen Closely to Bill Gross
The message to retirees is clear: save more or plan to spend less because retirement is very expensive in a zero bound world.
Why Indexed Financial Products are Appealing
I am currently researching and am likely to purchase an indexed universal life insurance product. This first-hand research and learning process has been interesting and is worth sharing.
Why Low Interest Rates Increase the Cost of Your Personal Pension Plan
Retirees and those saving for retirement should think of themselves as the managers of their own personal pension plan.
Why Low Interest Rates Have a Silver Lining
For retirees who are starved for yield, it might be worth taking a look at an income annuity because low interest rates magnify the importance of the mortality yield.
Why is the Growth in Health Spending Considered a Problem?
The crux of the problem seems to be the inability of those who have promised to pay for healthcare spending to actually do so.
Why Fixed Annuities Could Prove Toxic in an Era of Financial Repression
Retirees are on the losing-end of the financial repression equation since their income is based on negative real interest rates.